Sustainable Refurbishment in Architecture

Refurbishment is an attempt to extend the useful life of an existing building by adapting its basic shape to provide a new or newer version of its original structure with the old function. Refurbishment is one of the most important sectors in the construction industry. This method becomes an alternative when a building has reached the end of its time or fails to function as required in its usage (Aikivuori, 1996). Aikivuoli later discovered that the improvements covered in the refurbishment are several factors such as damage, changes in usage, economic factors, and changes in conditions. The refurbishment was carried out to seek the restoration of the function of the building which after so long operation is not maximum.

Dimensions in the Refurbishment Process

The refurbishment process refers to a multi-disciplinary process, which is carried out in a series of repeated steps to justify a total solution that is valuable to the client ranging from schematic design to the implementation and contract management stages. The definition suggests that the planning process involves cross-disciplinary and non-linear activities that are complex and loaded with elements of uncertainty. The main, expected results of a refurbished building are energy savings, improved comfort, a healthy working environment, an extended building life cycle, increased economic value, and environmental protection. (Mickaityte et al, 2008).

Levels in performing the refurbishment process are used for buildings by combining the performance of the building and its condition. Buildings that score both in two relative areas require limited changes to maintain market value or continued performance levels. Buildings that score poorly in both areas require significant changes. However, the level here is not an absolute value, but several factors that influence choices in the refurbishment process that need to be included in decision-making.

Source: Sustainable Refurbishment (Wiley Blackwell, 2012)

Level 1: Light Touch/Refresh
Level 2: Medium Intervention
Level 3: Extensive Intervention
Level 4: Comprehensive Refurbishment
Level 5: Demolition

Based on the level of the refurbishment, what will be done in the design process goes into level 4 of comprehensive refurbishment. This process will increase land value and help provide more area, wider potential reach, and mixed-use, and increase environmental credibility. In the process of comprehensive refurbishment, only the structure can maintained, with complete replacement of the exterior blanket, service, core, etc.

The challenge in carrying out the refurbishment process and upgrading the building is enormous. In addition to the need to improve the structure, systems, and services of buildings and comply with new standards and laws, refurbishment projects should also:

• Address the potential effects of climate change
• Have a minimal environmental impact
• Preserve heritage buildings
• Provide a more secure and secure internal environment
• Generate space that can be adapted to changes in use
• Show the best value through acquisitions and partnerships
• Contribute to the regeneration of local communities.

Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a refurbishment process that also takes into account the principles of sustainability. Sustainable refurbishment not only talks about the physical condition of a building and its performance but also the impact of the building on the community as a whole. The benefits of passing through the design process with the sustainable refurbishment approach are:

1. Protect the existing built environment for present and future generations
2. Reduce environmental footprint. Implementing high standards for energy efficiency, results in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to the environment, reducing the threat of climate change
3. Have better adaptability to climate changes. Designed to limit the effects of the sun in summer, improve water efficiencies, and better management of surface water flows
4. Provide lower operating costs. Help greater energy and water efficiency poverty reduction
5. Increase well-being. More pleasant and healthier housing ventilation and natural lighting
6. Gives quality to the building. As an identity that buildings can have differentiators with competitors, the approach developed a sustainability process cycle namely Brief-Design-Construct-Operate in a framework to determine the application of sustainability levels. To clarify the brief-design-construction-operate phase, 12 steps can be taken to develop the implementation of the sustainability principle.

Source: Sustainable Refurbishment (Wiley Blackwell, 2012)

Sources:

• Gohardani, Navid dan Folke Bjork. 2012. Sustainable Refurbishment in Building Technology. Civil and Architectural Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Sweden: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Gorse, C and David Highfield. Refurbishment and Upgrading of Buildings Second Edition. London and New York: Spon Press an imprint of Taylor & Francis.
• The design process of building refurbishment on project performance. Diakses pada 01 April 2021. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271203710_The_design_process_of_building_refurbishment_on_project_performance